419 scam: Patrick Amaratey <patamartey1@gmail.com> Private memo

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "hundred thousand us dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- ",500,000" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "00,000.00" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- patrickamartey14@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Patrick Amaratey <patamartey1@gmail.com>
Reply-To: patrickamartey14@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 10 Aug 2022 11:08:45 +0100
Subject: Private memo

Hello dear,

My name is Mr. Patrick Amartey, a Banker here in Ghana. I believe it
is the will of God for me to come across you. I have an important
business discussion I wish to share with you which I believe will
interest you.

One Late John Shumejda, an American had a fixed deposit with my bank
in 2000 for 120 calendar months, valued at US$12,500,000.00(twelve
million, five hundred thousand US dollars only) the due date for this
deposit contract was 11th of December 2010 .Sadly John was among the
death victims of Jet plane crash at Birmingham airport that killed 5
people. He was in UK on a business trip and that was how he met his
end. My bank management is yet to know about his death, I knew about
it because he was my friend and I was his account officer.

I think it is better you go through the website of the incident,
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/1742404.stm

John did not mention any Next of Kin/Heir when the account was opened,
and John was not married and no children. Last week my Bank Management
requested that I should give instructions on what to do about his
funds, if to renew the contract. I know this will happen and that is
why I have been looking for a means to handle the situation, because
if my Bank Directors happens to know that John is dead and do not have
any Heir, they will take the funds for their personal use, so I don't
want such to happen. That was why when I saw your contact, I was happy
and I am now seeking your co-operation to present you as Next of Kin/
Heir to the account.

There is no risk involved, the transaction will be executed under a
legitimate arrangement that will protect you and I from any breach of
law. It is better that we claim the money, than allowing the Bank
Directors to take it, they are rich already. I am not a greedy person,
so I am suggesting we share the funds equal 50%/50% to both parties.

Let me know your mind on this and please do treat this information as
top secret. We shall go over the details once I receive your urgent
response strictly through my personal email
address:(patrickamartey14@gmail.com). You can also reach me on my
personal cell number, +233502449048. Have a nice day and God bless.
Anticipating your communication.

Patrick Amartey.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam